Carrier attachment apparatus and method for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a carrier may be overlaid onto a vehicle. The vehicle may be a handle-propelled vehicle, for example a wheelbarrow. The carrier may have contours that fit over the top of the vehicle such that the carrier stays in place relative to the vehicle without additional fastening means when the vehicle is propelled in motion. The carrier design may also allow the carrier to be easily installed and removed from the vehicle. Additionally, the carrier may have a plurality of compartments of varying sizes and shapes. The compartments may be specifically designed to hold a variety of items, for example mobile technology devices, food containers, beverage containers, gardening materials and tools, landscaping materials and tools, or construction materials and tools.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims benefit and priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/242,781 entitled “CARRIER ATTACHMENTAPPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A VEHICLE” filed on Aug. 22, 2016 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/209,069 entitled “CARRIERATTACHMENT FOR A VEHICLE” filed on Aug. 24, 2015 which is herebyincorporated by reference into the present disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Attachments for a handle-propelled vehicle that have sections to holddifferent tools are known. Some known attachments are coupledexclusively to the handles of the vehicle. These handle attachmentsprovide limited holding sections. Additionally, known handle attachmentsare fastened to the handles such that installing and removing anattachment is a tedious, time-consuming task. Further, handleattachments lack capabilities for carrying larger, rod-type tools orobjects.

Attachments for a handle-propelled vehicle that attach to a non-handleportion of the vehicle for carrying larger, rod-type tools or objectsare known, however they exclusively provide only that single function.Additionally, non-handle attachments are fastened to the vehicle suchthat installing and removing an attachment is a tedious, time-consumingtask or even impossible. Current products are not secure and may bedifficult to attach and remove. Additionally, current products do notallow for secure carrying or transport of different sized items.

SUMMARY

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a carrier may beoverlaid onto a vehicle. The vehicle may be a handle-propelled vehicle,for example a wheelbarrow. The carrier may have contours that fit overthe top of the vehicle such that the carrier stays in place relative tothe vehicle without additional fastening means when the vehicle ispropelled in motion. The carrier design may also allow the carrier to beeasily installed and removed from the vehicle. Additionally, the carriermay have a number of compartments of varying sizes and shapes. Thecompartments may be specifically designed to securely hold a variety ofitems, for example mobile technology devices, food containers, beveragecontainers, gardening materials and tools, landscaping materials andtools, or construction materials and tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof,which description should be considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of acarrier attachment for a vehicle with environment.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of acarrier attachment for a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of acarrier attachment for a vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a hook member of an exemplary embodiment of acarrier attachment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a hook member of an exemplary embodiment of acarrier attachment.

FIG. 6A is a first side view of another exemplary hook member of anexemplary embodiment of a carrier attachment.

FIG. 6B is a second side view of another exemplary hook member of anexemplary embodiment of a carrier attachment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the hook member of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the hook member of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of acarrier attachment for a vehicle showing a cargo cover.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an attachment element of the cargo cover ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is another side view of an attachment element of the cargo coverof FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a side view of another exemplary hook member of an exemplaryembodiment of a carrier attachment.

FIG. 13A is a side view of another exemplary hook member of an exemplaryembodiment of a carrier attachment.

FIG. 13B is a side view of another exemplary hook member of an exemplaryembodiment of a carrier attachment.

FIG. 13C is a side view of another exemplary hook member of an exemplaryembodiment of a carrier attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description andrelated drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention.Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the descriptiondiscussion of several terms used herein follows.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe invention” does not require that all embodiments of the inventioninclude the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to some exemplary embodiments, and generally exemplary FIG. 1to FIG. 13, a carrier 100 may be freely or securely attached to avehicle 10, such as a wheelbarrow. The carrier 100 may have any numberof compartments and securing members of varying sizes and shapes. Thecompartments may carry or hold a variety of items, including: mobiletechnology devices, such as cellular phones, smartphones, and tabletcomputers; everyday items, such as keys, key chains, and wallets;beverage containers, such as bottles and cans; food containers, such aslidded containers and plastic bags; raw gardening materials and bags orcontainers thereof, such as seeds, plants, fertilizers, and pesticides;landscaping materials and bags or containers thereof, such as stones,rocks, cement, sand, and soil; raw construction materials and bags orcontainers thereof, such as nails, screws, wire, wood, paint, and metal;and tools for gardening, landscaping or construction, such as hoes,spades, shovels, scoops, forks, rakes, claws hammers, drills, drivers,saws, axes, knives, shears, pruners, cutters, flashlights, brooms, mops,levels, measuring sticks, and measuring tapes. The carrier 100 may bemade of a variety of materials including plastic, metal, rubber, wood,or other polymers. The carrier 100 may have a smooth surface or asubstantially grainy surface, as desired.

Now referring generally to exemplary FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, the carrier100 may have any desired size or dimensions, depending on its desiredapplication. It may be appreciated that the dimensions shown inexemplary FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are merely exemplary and do not limit thescope of the carrier in any manner. Additionally, the carrier 100 mayfit over the top of at least a portion of the vehicle 10. In anexemplary embodiment, the carrier 100 may fit over a portion of both tuband handles of a vehicle, such as a wheelbarrow, where the tub portionof the wheelbarrow remains substantially open or uncovered. For example,the carrier may fit over a rear end of the tub of a wheelbarrow suchthat substantially more of the tub remains open or uncovered than aportion of the tub that is covered by the carrier 100. Thus, grippingportions of a carrier 100 may be securely coupled to top or bottomportions of handles 13, 14 of a wheelbarrow, as well as a tub 11 of awheelbarrow. The carrier 100 may have a top surface 190 and an outerside surface 194 with a top beveled edge 192. The carrier 100 may have aleft side 104, a right side 106, a front side 170, a rear side 172, andan underside 196. In some exemplary embodiments, the carrier 100 mayhave rounded corners and an outwardly curving front side. The carriermay be configured substantially like a carrying tray and may include atleast one carrying compartment or attachment member. In an exemplaryembodiment, there may be a plurality of carrying compartments andattachment members. At least one of the carrying compartments may besubstantially well-like. The compartments may have varying depths. Thecarrier 100 may be disposed such that it extends over the width of a tub11 of a wheelbarrow or that it is disposed substantially behind the tub11 of a wheelbarrow 10 between handles 13, 14 of a wheelbarrow 10. Thecarrier 100 may be affixed to vehicle 10 by resting on at least one of arim 12 of tub 11 or handles 13, 14, or any combination thereof. In anexemplary embodiment, the carrier may rest on a rear portion and sideportions of a rim 12. The carrier 100 may rest freely in place or may besecured in place through snap fitting, friction fitting, fasteners,bolts, screws, adhesive, and other securing capabilities as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. There may besecuring portions 182 disposed on the underside 196 of the carrier 100.Referring to exemplary FIG. 3, the securing portions 182 may beconfigured to receive a rim 12 of a tub 11. Securing portions 182 may bedisposed along perimeter side edges of the carrier 100. Securingportions 182 may additionally be disposed to cross laterally belowcarrier to receive a rear portion of a rim 12. The lateral securingportions may be disposed between compartment and sidewalls 104, 106. Thelocation of securing portions 182 may vary depending on the desiredorientation of the carrier 100. Exemplary securing portions may includerib-like flanges configured to form a receiving track for the rim 12 oftub. Securing portions 182 may be tapered or shaped to facilitatepositioning on and receiving a rim 12. Rim 12 may fit freely within thereceiving track or may be secured in the track through snap fitting,friction fitting, or other known securing configurations as would bereasonably understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Insome embodiments, securing portions on the left side 104 and right side106 may include the wall of the compartments and the shanks of the hookmembers.

The alignment of the securing portions 182 may allow the carrier 100 tofit over the top of the vehicle 10 such that the carrier 100 may remainin place relative to the vehicle 10 without additional fasteningcapabilities when the vehicle 10 is propelled in motion. This design mayalso allow the carrier 100 to be easily installed and removed from thevehicle. In some exemplary embodiments, to provide extra couplingsecurity, the carrier 100 may be coupled to the vehicle 10 via any knownfastening capabilities, for example clips, hooks, loops, hoops, screws,nuts and bolts, or adhesives.

Referring to exemplary FIGS. 1 through 3 generally, the carrier 100 mayhave at least one compartment configured for holding or securing objectsto vehicle 10. These compartments may include at least one centralcompartment 110. At least one of the compartments may further have a lidfor closing the compartment. In an exemplary embodiment, the centralcompartment 110 may include a lid 112 for closing the compartment 111.In some embodiments, the lid 112 may substantially prevent the contentsof the sealed compartment from interacting with an external environmentand may be generally sealed or provide water-tight or air-tight sealing,as desired. The carrier 100 further includes a compartment, such as acup holder, that may be generally open to receive any desired object,any number of tool holders, such as short-handled tools, and any othercompartments, as desired. In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier 100may include a left rear compartment 124 and a right rear compartment126. The left rear compartment 124 may be a single large cylindricalcompartment. The right rear compartment 126 may be substantiallyrectangular. The depth of compartments can be various depending on toolsmainly secured.

The carrier 100 may have at least one of hook members 210, 220, 230, 240disposed there on. There may be two hook members 210, 220 disposed onthe right side of the carrier 100 and two hook members 230, 240 disposedon the left side of the carrier 100. One hook member 210 on right sideand one hook member 230 on left side of carrier 100 may be disposedproximate a front or middle portion of the carrier 100. One hook member220 on the right and one hook member 240 on left side may be disposedproximate a rear side of carrier 100. Hook members 210, 220, 230, 240may extend down and outward from the carrier 100. Hook members 210, 220,230, 240 may be configured to hold elongated objects, such as poles orlong handled tools, such as shoves, brooms, rakes, axes, etc. The gaps Gof the hook member 210, 220, 230, 240 may be substantially V-shaped tohold a range of handle sizes or objects. In an exemplary embodiment,hook members 210, 220, 230, 240 may be substantially rigid and may havethe elastomeric grip 212, 222, 232, 242 applied on the inner face of theV as a gripping or locking member. Hook members 210, 220, 230, 240 mayalso be used to attach buckets, hanging objects, towels, etc.

Referring now to exemplary FIGS. 4 to 7, the hook member 210 may includea base 211 and a locking portion 215. The base may include a firstportion 211 a, a second portion 211 b, and a third portion 211 c. Oneside of the first portion 211 a may be connected with the right side 106of the career 100. One end of second portion 211 b is connected with oneend of the first portion 211 a and another end of second portion 211 bis connected with one end of the third portion 211 c such that the firstportion 211 a, the second portion 211 b and the third portion 211 c mayform substantially V-shaped gap G. The third portion 211 c may includean opening 219. The reference θ₁ indicates an angle between the firstportion 211 a of the hook member 210 and the third portion 211 c of thehook member 210.

The reference number 212 indicates the grip portion 212 disposed on hookmember to securely hold objects. In an exemplary embodiment, the gripportion 212 of the hook member 210 may be a rubber or elastomeric gripdisposed insides of the first portion 211 a, the second portion 211 b,and the third portion 211 c. The grip portion 212 may be molded withridges designed to conform and deform to an object disposed within thehook member 210, when pressed into the elastomeric material, creating agrip on the object. In some exemplary embodiments, the elastomericmaterial may be silicone rubber.

As shown in exemplary FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking portion 215 may includea first element 215 a, a second element 215 b and a third element 215 c.One end of the second element 215 b of the locking portion 215 isconnected with one end of the first element 215 a of the locking portion215 and another end of the second element 215 b of the locking portion215 is connected with another end of the third element 215 c of thelocking portion 215. The reference θ₂ indicates an angle between thefirst element 215 a of the locking portion 215 and the third element 215c of the locking portion 215. θ₂ may form such that an angle of θ₁ andθ₂ is less than 180 degrees.

The locking portion 215 may further include at least one of a holdingelement 216. In this embodiment, the locking portion 215 includes theholding elements 216 at both side of the third element 215 c of thelocking portion 215. The holding element 216 may include ridges as shownin FIG. 4. The locking portion 215 may further include a pivotingprotrusion 217 which may be engaged with a pivoting recess 214.

Exemplary FIG. 6 illustrates a method to secure an object O according toan exemplary embodiment. The object O may be secured in an unloadposition as shown in FIG. 6A. In the unload position, the third element215 c of the locking portion 215 is away enough from the first portion211 a to receive the object O. Pushing the object O into the gap G ofthe hook member 210, the object O pushes the first element 215 a of thelocking portion 215, and the locking portion 215 is pivoted toward alocking position. As the locking portion 215 is pivoted relative to thethird portion 211 c, the holding elements 215 a of the locking portion215 is engaged with a side wall 213 of the third portion 211 c. Thus, aforce to push the object O may need to be significant enough to let theholding elements 215 a run over the wall 213 of the third portion 211 c.In the locking position, the third element 215 c is adjacent to thefirst portion 211 a and the object O is surrounded by the first portion211 a, the second portion 211 b, the third portion 211 c and the lockingportion 215.

The locking portion 215 may be pivoted and be released from the lockingposition when an external force to pivot the locking portion issignificant enough to let the holding elements 215 a of the lockingportion 215 run over the walls 213 a of the third portion 211 c. If auser pulls the object O with a force which exceeds the minimum force tolet the locking portion 215 run over the walls 213 a of the thirdportion 211 c, the locking portion may be pivoted toward the unloadposition such that the third element 215 c of the locking portion 215 isaway from the first portion 211 a of the hook member 210. According tothe present invention, the tool can be secured in a stable manner evenif the vehicle 10 moves or an unexpected external force is applied toeither the vehicle 10, the career 100 or the object O.

Referring to exemplary FIGS. 4 to 7, the locking portion 215 may furtherinclude a guide 215 d. The guide 215 d may be connected with another endof the third element 215 c of the locking portion 215. The reference θ₃indicates an angle between the guide 215 d and the third element 215 cof the locking portion 215. Preferably, θ₃ is below than 90 degrees.Thus, the guide 215 d of the locking portion 215 may help a user tosecure the object O when the locking portion 215 is in the lockingposition. In the locking position, the guide 215 d and the first portion211 a of the hook member 211 may form V-shape entrance which opensoutwardly such that the object O moving into the hook member may widenthe gap between the first portion 211 a and the locking portion 215.

As mentioned above and shown in FIG. 6B, the object O may be surroundedby the first portion 211 a, the second portion 211 b, the third portion211 c, and the locking portion 215 since θ₂ may form such that an angleof θ₁ and θ₂ is less than 180 degrees. As shown in FIG. 8, if the angleθ₁ and θ₂ is 180 degrees, a first portion 311 a of a base 311 of a hookmember 310 is parallel with the third element 315 c of the lockingportion 315 so that the object O may be out of the hook member 310.

Another exemplary embodiment is described below. The other featuresdescribed in the previous embodiments may be applied to this exemplaryembodiment, as desired.

Referring to exemplary FIG. 9, the carrier 400 may further include acover member 410. The cover member 410 may include a screen 411, ascreen bar 412 and a screen holder 413. The reference 451 indicates anopening through which the screen 412 may be drown. In the exemplaryembodiment, the opening 451 is placed the rear area of the carrier 400,however, it maybe be placed other place of the carrier 400.

As shown in the FIG. 9, the screen may be rolled around reel 414 and beplaced inside the career 400. The screen 411 may receive the tension forwinding up such that it remains rolled when no pulling force is applied.The screen may be made of plastic, rubber or fabric, or any othermaterial, as desired.

The screen bar 412 is connected with a free end of the screen 411. Thescreen bar 412 may be made of various material, including plastic orrubber, as desired.

In the exemplary embodiment, the screen holder 413 may form a hook whichcan be engaged with one of holes 452 of the carrier 400. The carrier 400may include the multiple holes 452 such that a user may decide an areawhich may be covered by the screen 411. However, the shape or dimensionof the screen holder and the hole may be altered.

According to the present embodiment, a user may cover the compartmentswith the screen 411. When the user does not use the screen 411, therolled screen 411 may be placed inside the career 400. The user may pullthe screen bar 412 to draw the screen 411 through the opening 451. Theuser may choose an area of the career 400 she will cover and hook thescreen holder 414 at the holes 452.

Referring to exemplary FIGS. 10 and 11, a screen member 510 may furtherinclude an additional holder 513. The additional holder 513 may have abase 513 a and a U-shaped holder 513 b. A user may hook the U-shapedholder 513 b at the rim 12 of the vehicle 10 such that the whole area oftub 12 can be covered with the screen 512. The base may be rotatedaround the screen bar 512 to facilitate to hook into the U-shapedholder.

According to the present embodiment, a user may secure various objectsin either compartments of the career and the tub with the screenquickly. The screen may keep objects from moving or falling out andprotect objects from rain or other unwanted material.

Referring to exemplary FIGS. 12 and 13, a hook member 610 may include abase 611 and a locking portion 615. The base is attached to the career100. The locking portion 615 may be hinged on the base 611. Thereference 617 indicates a torsion spring which provides a force to closethe gap between the base 611 and the locking portion 615.

The hook member 610 may further include a pendulum 613 and a lockingelement 616. The pendulum 613 may be connected to the base 611 and swingfreely when the vehicle 10 moves or the career receive the externalimpact. The locking element 616 is a sprocket. The locking element 616is fixed to the locking portion 615 such that the locking element 616pivots when the locking portion 615 pivots relative the base 611.

FIG. 13 illustrates the method to secure an object O with the hookmember 610. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when there is no externalforce or impact, the pendulum 613 is in an unload position where thependulum remains rest. Thus, the locking portion 615 may be pivotedfreely when the force to pivot exceeds the strength of torsion spring614 so that a user may push the object O into the hook member and securethe object O. The torsion spring provides the predetermined power tohold the object. A user may take out the object O from the hookingmember 610 when a user pulls the object O with power exceeding the powerof the torsion spring. In addition, according to the present invention,when the vehicle 10 moves or the external impact is applied to thecareer 100, as shown in FIG. 13C, the pendulum may swing and hold thelocking element 616 such that the locking portion may not be pivoted andbe locked.

Additionally, in further exemplary embodiments, there may be aperturesdisposed through the carrier to facilitate aligning the carrier whenplacing it on a vehicle. Further, a visual indicator with which to aligna rim may be disposed proximate apertures. In some embodiments, thevisual indicator may include a raised, dashed line.

In still other embodiments, the carrier may have any number of aperturestherein that may facilitate drainage. Additionally, all of thecompartments may be subdivided by vertical or horizontal dividingmembers. The walls of the various compartments may be sloped so as tofacilitate settling objects toward a bottom surface of the compartments.

Further, the carrier may be formed such that it easily accommodatesstacking and storage of multiple carriers on top of each other.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrier attachment apparatus for a vehiclecomprising: at least one compartment to store an object therein; two ormore securing portions disposed on an underside of the carrierattachment and configured to receive a rim of a tub, such that thecarrier attachment can securely rest on the tub, the carrier attachmentterminating proximate a first end of the tub; at least one first hookmember disposed on a first side of the carrier having a base and alocking portion; and at least one second hook member disposed on asecond side of the carrier having a base and a locking portion; andwherein the locking portion of the at least one first hook membercomprises a first element, a second element connected to the firstelement, and a third element connected to the second element, thelocking portion further comprising a pivot disposed between the firstelement and the second element; and wherein the third element comprisesa holding element.
 2. The carrier attachment apparatus for a vehicle ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one opening disposed between thefirst hook member and the second hook member.
 3. The carrier attachmentapparatus for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the at least one opening issealable with a lid.
 4. The carrier attachment apparatus for a vehicleof claim 1, wherein the at least first hook member and the at leastsecond hook member each have ribs disposed on an interior portion. 5.The carrier attachment apparatus for a vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising at least four hook members.